"supplanter, one who follows"
Jaclyn
Pronunciation: [ j-AKL-ihn ]
The elegance of Jacqueline, streamlined for a new era
Meaning & Origin
"may God protect"
The Story of Jaclyn
Jaclyn is a simplified American spelling of Jacqueline, the French feminine form of Jacques (James/Jacob), from the Hebrew Yaakov meaning supplanter or one who follows at the heel. The name gained glamour in the English-speaking world largely through Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994), First Lady during the Kennedy administration, whose poise and style made Jacqueline — and its variant spellings — enormously fashionable in the 1960s.
Jaclyn peaked in the 1970s-80s in the United States, boosted by actress Jaclyn Smith of Charlie's Angels fame. The streamlined spelling appealed to parents who loved the elegance of Jacqueline but preferred a phonetically direct form.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis remains one of the most iconic First Ladies in American history, and the name carries her legacy of grace, intellect, and cultural sophistication. In France, Jacqueline has been a classic name since the Middle Ages.
Fun Facts
- Jacqueline Kennedy commissioned the restoration of the White House and gave the first televised tour of it in 1962
- The name Jacqueline has been used by French royalty since the 14th century
Jaclyn in Other Languages
Famous People Named Jaclyn
Jaclyn Smith
Actor
1945
American actress famous for playing Kelly Garrett on Charlie's Angels (1976-1981)
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Other
1929
First Lady of the United States (1961-1963), celebrated for her elegance, cultural leadership, and restoration of the Wh...
First Lady of the United States (1961-1963), celebrated for her elegance, cultural leadership, and restoration of the White House
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,722
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- American English French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Jaclyn is also used as a boy name, ranked #26913.
View Jaclyn as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jaclyn
What does the name Jaclyn mean?
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About the Name Jaclyn
Jaclyn is a girl name with American, English, and French origins . The name means "supplanter, one who follows" in Hebrew .
Is Jaclyn a boy or girl name? Jaclyn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,722 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #26,913. Jaclyn is more commonly used as a girl name.
Jaclyn is currently ranked #2,722 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Jaclyn has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-AKL-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jaclyn include Jackie and Jac. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.